"So, whilst we may well moan of Islamophobia, let’s face it, the biggest threat to Muslims are in fact other Muslims." So says an English language publication for British Muslims and Hindus.

The piece is refreshingly honest. This is a community acknowledging that they have problems - firstly that there is hatred against non-Muslims from within the Muslim community; but secondly, that Muslims have more to fear from their own people than from non-Muslims.

We should also be as honest in our assessments and avoid labelling all Muslims as the same or, conversely, naively jumping onto the "racist" or "Islamophobic" bandwagon as being the real problem. It's entirely reasonable to extrapolate that New Zealand's Muslims have similar issues. As painful as it is to acknowledge, there are genuine, and sometimes violent, difficulties in Muslim communities based on theology and everyone will benefit if we do all we can to assist our Muslim friends to work through these problems expeditiously.

The idea that one deserves to die for blasphemy is something that has been common in Muslim culture for many years.

Recently, Tanveer Ahmed was sentenced for the brutal murder of Asad Shah. The case heard that Ahmed was incensed over the beliefs held by Mr Shah. He then travelled to Glasgow to brutally murder the family man and shopkeeper.

What was shocking was he held no remorse for the killing.

This belief that one will be rewarded in the afterlife for upholding the name of Islam in this way is clearly a major issue within the Muslim community not only here but worldwide.

Individuals are being taught that blasphemy should be punishable by death. Speaking up against such incidents is the job of all the imams and religious leaders in this country. But you are unlikely to hear clear condemnations.

To condemn this is to some way suggest that you agree with the opposing view.

Which isn’t the case at all but you will find most Muslims will not publicly speak up about blasphemy in case they themselves get drawn into the argument. It is an argument you are unlikely to win.

In this case Ahmed clearly did not feel that Mr Shah had the right to follow his own beliefs.

Sadly, I have spoken to many people who do agree with that.

You have Imams and religious leaders who will publicly talk of Islam being a religion of peace but privately condone the killing of individuals who are deemed to have blasphemed. Even if the case is unclear we will condemn them.

What is just as worrying is that in the UK we now have groups and individuals who are [sic] have learnt the benefit of keeping quiet on particular issues.

This is not just a Muslim problem though as all religions have similar questions to answer. [Graeme: Really? All religions? Please elucidate regarding the equivalent problem in Christianity. The author here may be clambering for some cover as he engages the Muslim community with some unpleasant home truths.]

As a Muslim you are more likely to be abused for your belief by another Muslim on social media than you are from a non-Muslim. This can be anything from Eid celebrations to simply commemorating the Prophet’s birthday.

One only has to view the opinions of the next generation of ‘Islamic experts’ on social media who will spend hours and days encouraging their army of followers to spread this narrative.

This is not just a male thing either. It is clear that women are as equally prone to this idea that they must abuse others who do not follow the ‘correct path.’ We Muslims have become obsessed with pointing out minor differences and the belief prevails that one is more superior than the next person because one follows a different school of thought.

And whilst we may well like to highlight the rampant Islamophobia, you are unlikely to say anything of the religious schools of thought and organisations that clearly are teaching young children that they are inherently better Muslims than others in their own community.

Let us not shy away and ignore the obvious. It is clearly an issue that needs to be tackled.

We have groups and schools who receive public money and are following set beliefs that hammer home the message that one is more of a Muslim because one follows a particular Islamic theology.

These are not extremists. Publicly not anyway.

So, whilst we may well moan of Islamophobia, let’s face it, the biggest threat to Muslims are in fact other Muslims.

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